ZCZC
BSS-41
DUCSU-BCL-JCD-PANELS
BCL for broad-based alliance for DUCSU polls, JCD on its own
DHAKA, Feb 14, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) wants to
include Teacher-Students’ Center (TSC) based 22 students’ organisations in
their alliance under the banner of “Chhatra Sangram Parishad” for the Dhaka
University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) poll, scheduled for March 11,
2019. The Parishad is currently headed by pro-Awami League Chattra League and
includes eight other student organisations that includes from pro-JSD Chatra
League and pro-Workers’ Party Chattra Moitri.
On the other hand, BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) is
preparing to compete the DUCSU poll on its own.
Pro-Awami League students’ body BCL announced their decision at a press
conference organised by “Dhaka University (DU) Sammilita Shikkharthi
Sangsad”, an alliance of 22 TSC based socio-cultural organisations held at
the historic Madhur canteen on the campus today.
While addressing the function, BCL President Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury
Shovon said that as one of the aims of DUCSU is to flourish the intellectual
and cultural development of students through extra-curricular activities and
the TSC based socio-cultural organisations are working with this aim from
their inception, BCL wants to give them priority. “We want to make a panel
‘Chhatra Sangram Parishad’ for contesting the upcoming DUCSU election
comprising the 22 TSC based organisations, who uphold the spirit of the
Liberation War and have creativity and intend to work for the country,”
Shovon told newsmen.
Shovon also stated that their alliance will finalise their panels for the
25 posts of DUCSU and 13 posts of every hall union, in time. The nomination
papers will be distributed from February 19 to 25 from the hall offices,
while the last day for submitting nomination papers is February 26 and the
deadline for withdrawing nomination papers is March 2 as per the poll
schedule.
BCL DU central general secretary (GS) Golam Rabbani, BCL DU unit GS Saddam
Hussain also spoke on the occassion.
While reading out a written statement, a spokesperson of the TSC based
platform SM Rakib Siraji, said they want the polling booths to remain in the
residential halls, as per the university authority’s decision which has
created mixed reaction among the students’ bodies.
“We have no objection setting up of the polling booths at the dormitories.
All of TSC based organisations are committed about the question of the Great
Liberation War. We urge all the students’ bodies to participate in the
election,” said Siraji, also the president of DU Debating Club.
Founder president of DU Research Society Saifullah Sadeq, DU Drama Troops’
President Sanwarul Haque Sony, DU Science Society President Prottasa Shaha,
Film society president Kaiyum Joy spoke at the function on behalf of their
platform.
For the second consecutive day, JCD leaders and activists gathered at the
Madhur canteen after a lapse of nine years. The gathering of BCL, JCD and
left students’ bodies created a spirit of peaceful co-existence and
cordiality ahead of the DUCSU election.
JCD central President Razib Ahsan, GS Akramul Hasan, DU unit president Al
Mehedi Talukder and General Secretary Abul Bashar Siddique, among others, sat
together at the canteen for more than two hours.
Talking to the media, JCD president Razib Ahsan welcomed DU authority’s
assurance of creating a congenial political atmosphere for them and also
demanded rescheduling of DUCSU polls for at least three months to materialise
the committments. “JCD wants to conduct political activities positively. We
do not want to create any untoward situation. We hope that the university
administration will be able to make a free and fair election,” said Rajib.
Regarding their panel, Akramul Hasan said, “We have decided to participate
in the election on our own. But the door is open and if anyone wants to join
us, they are free to do so.”
Apart from this, Progressive Students’ alliance brought out procession
from Madhur canteen and took position in front of Vice Chancellor (VC)’s
office for about two hours, demanding setting up of polling booths outside
the halls.
“We demand setting up the polling booths in the academic buildings so that
students can cast their votes without fear,” said Chhatra Union GS Liton
Nandi.
BSS/ASG/MMN/AS/2008HRS